Determination of the Level of Pesticides in

Sediment and Water from the Lagos Lagoon

Oladunni B. Olafisoye1,2

and Temitope M. Senkale2

1Department of Chemistry, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa

2Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria

Email: abogunrinob@gmail.com, senkey@rocketmail.com

Adelaja O. Osibote Department of Mathematics and Physics, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa

Email: osiboteA@cput.ac.za

Abstract—The study aimed to determine the levels of

organochlorine pesticides in sediment and water from the

Lagos lagoon. Sediments and water samples were analysed

using a 63Ni electron capture detector gas chromatograph

(Agilent 5890 series, GC-ECD). High levels of

organochlorine pesticides were detected in both sediment

and water samples collected. The results of the analysis

show that the mean values of the organochlorine pesticide in

sediments were higher than that for water. It can be

attributed to the fact that organochlorine pesticides which

are pollutants are more persistent and organically bound to

sediments than water since sediments leach organically

bound pollutants to water. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT DDE) were seen

to be absent in both sediments and water sampled from the

lagoon which is a possible indication to compliance on the

ban of organochlorine pesticides for agricultural and fishing

purposes.

Index Terms—pesticides, lagoon, GC-ECD, sediments

I. INTRODUCTION

Pests are known to cause diseases to organisms. A

pesticide is use in prohibiting, repelling, opposing and

alleviating any pest. Pests are not only insects but could

include other plants, vertebrates and invertebrates. As a

result pesticides can include rodenticides, herbicides and

other substances used to control pests. Pesticides are

beneficial to the agricultural industry. Despite their

usefulness to man and agriculture they pose a lot of

hazards because they are toxic to the environment. They

are known worldwide as toxic environmental pollutants,

fat soluble and usually found in fatty tissues of animals

and man [1]. The chlorinated pesticides are specially

classified among the twelve dirty dozen by the Stockholm

convention [2]. They are in high demand industrially and

due to their constant use they bio-accumulate and

magnify in the food chain [2]. Organochlorine pesticides

have environmental impacts that are usually on non-target

organisms [3]. Organochlorine pesticides when applied

on a certain area such as farm settlements usually reach a

Manuscript received August 23, 2015; revised January 8, 2016.

destination other than their target [4]. This is especially

from runoffs into aquatic systems. Wind is also a factor

that carries such pesticides into pastures, communities,

towns and villages affecting unsuspected species [5].

Adverse effects of Organochlorine pesticides have led to

environmental concerns. Each pesticide has its particular

problem; leading to regulatory bodies putting a ban or

limiting its use in several countries [6]. The influx of

humans in a specific area for livelihood and agriculture

has environmental concerns. This involves plants

competing for food leading to a decrease in biodiversity.

Organochlorine pesticides use heightens these impacts

which are further exaggerated by poor management

practices [7]. Due to poor storage and transport of these

Organochlorine pesticides applications, there is

persistence over time. Man is directly affected by

ingesting either food or water contaminated by

Organochlorine pesticides. Organochlorine pesticides are

notorious for the deleterious health effect they cause.

These include reproduction and immune system defects

[8]. Due to the fat loving properties of these

Organochlorine pesticides they have the tendency to

accumulate in tissues and they can be persistent. In the

ecosystem, the distribution of Organochlorine pesticides

is usually in water and sediments. This occurs through

processes such as adsorption of water to the bottom

sediments which are a primary reservoir of environmental

pollution [9]. Water bodies especially the seas, lagoons

and sediments have become a sink for Organochlorine

pesticides. Organochlorine pesticides are harmful to man

and the environment and some countries have placed a

ban on the use of Organochlorine pesticides for

agriculture or industry purposes [10]. Their use has been

banned in many countries yet many developing countries

still use them for fishing and agricultural purposes. The

implementation of such policies in several countries

especially Nigeria is weak [11]. Persistence of these

pollutants is possible due to the low water solubility and

affinity for particulate matter. The Lagos lagoon is

located in south-western Nigeria. The lagoon is a

receiving body for effluents from agricultural industries

and runoff from farmlands. It also receives deposition

Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2016

©2016 Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies 222doi: 10.18178/joaat.3.3.222-225

) and Dichlorodiphenylchloroethane (

runoffs from rivers flowing from states in the south -

western parts of Nigeria into the Atlantic Ocean.

Considering these factors; it is impertinent to evaluate the

sediment and water of the Lagos lagoon for

Organochlorine pesticides [12]. The monitoring of water

and sediment quality is essential. Various researches have

been carried out on the evaluation of Organochlorine

pesticides in various areas of the environment [13]-[16].

Based on this, a study was carried out to determine the

concentration of Organochlorine pesticides in water and

sediments in the Lagos lagoon.

II. METHODOLOGY

Sampling was performed during the dry season of

January in Nigeria. A composite sample of sediment and

water were obtained by mixing several grab samples to

obtain a representative sample. The samples were then

identity prior to laboratory analysis. The water sample

was filtered through a Whatmann filter paper to remove

debris and particulate matter. It was preserved with 2%

hydrochloric acid (HCl) and stored in a dark cupboard

prior to analysis. The water sample was extracted with n-

hexane and acetonitrile by refluxing and the acetonitrile

fraction concentrated using a rotary evaporator. The

concentrated acetronitrile fraction was injected into the

gas chromatograph. Standards of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5µg/L

were made for the calibration graphs from a stock

solution and the samples were analysed in triplicates.

About 10g of the sediment sample was homogenized with

2g sodium sulphate and extracted with dichloromethane.

The pesticides were eluted through a column packed with

silica gel [17]. The eluate was pre concentrated and also

analysed in triplicates. The pesticides were analyzed

qualitatively and quantitatively to determine their

presence and concentration [18]. This was achieved by

the aid of a 63Ni electron capture detector gas

chromatograph (Agilent 5890 series, GC-ECD). The

mean and standard deviation of the concentration of the

pollutants were calculated after extrapolation using the

formula below [19].

Ab/(b) = Fr(Ai)/(i) (1)

where:

Ab=area of the analytical signal

Ai=area of internal standard signal

Fr=response factor

b=concentration of the analyte

i=concentration of the internal standard

Other factors used for the analysis include the

following: Injection temperature 250°C

Detector temperature 300°C

Holding time of detector 5min

Film thickness 0.24μm

Oven temperature 280°C

Starting time 50°C

Holding time for commencement 1min at 20°C

Injected sample 1μL

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

A. Results

The Organochlorine pesticides were identified by

comparing their retention time peaks with those of the

standards. Mean and standard deviation for the values

obtained during the analysis were determined.

B. Discussions

Table I and Table II show the mean and standard

deviation results of Organochlorine pesticides in water

and sediments from Lagos lagoon sampled in the month

of January respectively. The levels of all the

Organochlorine pesticides exceeded the WHO limit for

Organochlorine pesticides in the environment [4].

TABLE I. THE MEAN AND STANDARD DEVIATION VALUES OF THE

CONCENTRATION LEVELS OF PESTICIDES IN SEDIMENTS

Organochlorine

Pesticide

Mean ± SD Organochlorine

Pesticide Mean ± SD

Endosulphan 62.18±0.01 Delta BHC 49.76±0.02

Chlorothalonil 43.78±0.04 Aldrin 58.71±0.06

Heptachlor A 11.34±0.01 Dieldrin 58.71±0.06

Heptachlor B 11.24±0.06 DDE ND

Alpha BHC 23.89±0.09 DDT ND

*ND – Not Detected

TABLE II. THE MEAN AND STANDARD DEVIATION VALUES OF THE

CONCENTRATION LEVELS OF PESTICIDES IN WATER

Organochlorine

Pesticide

Mean ± SD Organochlorine

Pesticide Mean ± SD

Endosulphan 34.50±0.03 Delta BHC 62.18±0.01

Chlorothalonil 27.726±0.07 Aldrin 43.78±0.04

Heptachlor A 29.57±0.08 Dieldrin 11.34±0.01

Heptachlor B 34.71±0.07 DDE 11.24±0.06

Alpha BHC 28.10±0.04 DDT 23.89±0.09

The WHO maximum contaminant level for

Organochlorine pesticides is below 1.0mg/L and all the

samples had values above the permissible limit [4]. The

mean values of the Organochlorine pesticides were

generally high showing there is a high demand for the use

of Organochlorine pesticide in agriculture and fishing to

combat pests on land and water. This is due to the

increasing population in Nigeria and the high demand for

food by the populace. The mean values of the

Organochlorine pesticide in sediments are higher than

that for water. Apart from this factor, the results did not

follow any particular pattern [20]-[25]. This can be

attributed to the fact that the organochlorine pesticides

are more persistent and organically bound to sediments.

Usually sediments leach part of the organically bound

organochlorine pesticides to water [3], [7], [26]-[28].

Water undergoes several processes such as dilution and

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©2016 Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies 223

taken to the laboratory and stored at 4°C to preserve the

absorption thereby reducing the concentrations eventually

[29], [30]. DDT and DDE were absent in both sediments

and water sampled from the lagoon. This indicates

compliance to the ban on these products for agricultural

and fishing purposes. Organochlorine pesticides from

different farmland and water bodies must have leached

into the Lagos lagoon. The lagoon is polluted and not

suitable for fishing, recreational and agricultural purposes

[18]-[23]. The concentration of Organochlorine pesticide

residues in this study was higher when compared to other

previous studies [18]-[22]. This is because

Organochlorine pesticides are generally non-

biodegradable, toxic and persists in the environment for a

long period of time. The nature of persistence makes

Organochlorine pesticides accumulate in the food chain

and in lower organisms like planktons. Organochlorine

Pesticides become concentrated due to several chemical

processes and are adsorbed from water to sediments and

bottom substrates. This makes sediments a reservoir from

which toxic substances are released into the environment

[12]. The low ability of Organochlorine pesticides to

dissolve in water and their association with particles and

matter make them non biodegradable. This contributes to

the reason why they persist in the environment for a long

time and their toxic nature. Humans are indirectly

exposed to these pesticides from sea animals and food

cultivated from such source [31]-[37]. Humans are

directly exposed when they come in contact with water

and sediments especially through recreational, natural and

anthropogenic sources [39], [40]. Organochlorine

pesticides are known to be carcinogenic especially

through nasal inhalation and dermal contact [41]-[43].

Ingestion of pesticides is known to cause dizziness,

convulsions, skin irritation and nasal congestion [44],

[45].

IV. CONCLUSION

Pests are disease causing organisms and their use is

limited to agriculture. Organochlorine pesticides are used

in the eradication of pesticides on land and water. Due to

their continuous use they are persistent yet non-

biodegradable. The results of the analysis indicate a

partial compliance to their use in agriculture and fishing.

More efficient and less toxic means of pesticide

eradication in land and water for agriculture are

employed nowadays.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors wish to thank Bowen University Iwo,

Nigeria for research study analysis and Cape Peninsula

University of Technology, South Africa for funding.

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Olafisoye Oladunni Bola obtained her

undergraduate degree at the Abubakar Tafawa

Balewa University Bauchi in the year 2001. She obtained a Masters degree from the

University of Ibadam in the year 2007. She is

currently on her PhD programme at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape

Town, South Africa. She is a lecturer at the

Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria. She has published papers in several journals of repute

and has supervised a number of undergraduate students.

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©2016 Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies 225

A. M. Taiwo, O. O. Olujimi, O. Bamgbose, and T. A. Arowolo,

“Surface water quality monitoring in Nigeria: Situational analysis and future management strategy,” in Water Quality Monitoring

and Assessment, InTech, 2012, pp. 301-317.

Senkale Moses Temitope is a graduate of the

Bowen University Iwo Nigeria. He is an

upcoming chemist in the Chemical industry. The future of the industry depends on Chemist

like him.

Adelaja Otolorin Osibote completed her

undergraduate studies at Ogun State University, Nigeria (now Olabisi Onabanjo

University) in Physics in 1992 and received

her M.Sc. in Engineering Physics (Medical and Health Physics Option) from Obafemi

Awolowo University, also in Nigeria in 1999.

She obtained her Ph.D. (Medical Physics) from Escola Nacional de Saude Publica

(National School of Public Health)-FIOCRUZ,

Brazil in 2006. She was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Energy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

(Federal University of Pernambuco), Brazil in 2007 and in the

Department of Human Biology (Biomedical Engineering) of University of Cape Town, South Africa in 2008. She was a Junior Research

Associate, of the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical

Physics from 2002 to 2006. Dr. Osibote assumed a faculty position in the Department of Physics, Olabisi Onabanjo University in 1995 and

presently in the Department of Mathematics & Physics, Cape Peninsula

University of Technology, South Africa. She has carried out research on several areas including Irradiation of foodstuffs, measurement of

radioactivity in food and environmental fields, quality assurance in

diagnostic radiology and in the Developments of algorithms for automated focusing of a microscope for the detection of tuberculosis.

She teaches several courses in Physics at the University and supervises

a number of students.